From Publishers Weekly
The popular Dragonbards trilogyNightpool and The Ivory Lyre were the first two bookscomes to an exciting, if somewhat predictable close. The story picks up where the last book ended, with the defeat of the unliving at Dacia. Before Prince Tebriel and his bard companions have rested, distress calls from both dragonlings and an injured dragon signal the start of the final battle against Quazelzeg, lord of the dark. In a bold attempt to rescue two bard children from the slave pits of Quazelzeg, Teb is captured and brutalized; although he is rescued, only Kiri is aware of the true extent of the damage Quazelzeg has done. Will Teb be strong enough to overcome the seeds of destruction the dark lord planted in his mind? No reader familiar with fantasy will doubt the outcome of Teb's inner battle, but the thrilling last battle scene, with the dramatic appearance of Teb's long-lost mother, Meriden, and the poignant farewell to the wise otter Thakkur will more than satisfy readers who enjoyed the first two books. A rousing finale to a notable trilogy. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From School Library Journal
Grade 6-9 In this third confrontation be tween good and evil, Murphy brings her ``Dragonbards'' trilogy to a close. Each chapter begins with an excerpt from the journal of Meriden, lost Queen of Au ric, whose children searched for her in Nightpool (1985) and The Ivory Lyre (1987, both Harper). This device gives a framework to the plot and also reminds readers of past events. The Dark forces are finally destroyed; the Queen is re united with her children, Teb and Ca mery; and young Dragonbard Kiri finds her own dragon. Romance between Kiri and Teb is hinted at as the story progresses. As in the previous books, the plot is complicated and sometimes confusing; to add to this, all of the earli er characters reappear to crowd the pages. Murphy is better at action than at characterization. In the end it is the dragons sweeping through the sky that readers will remember, not Teb and his inner conflicts. Ruth S. Vose, San Francisco Public Library
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
